[throttlemeister]

My R1100S hasn't seen much use lately after I bought the K1200S. Reason being that most of riding is for longer trips and the larger size of the big K just fits my 6'2" 36" inseam frame a little better.

That said, every time I see that little 11S sitting there in my garage, it makes me smile. It is just such a good looking bike in the grey/yellow paint scheme and the matching yellow BCR type bellypan just finished it up so nicely.

I have to admit though, lately some thoughts came popping up about selling it. I mean, why hold on to it when you barely ride it? I could trade it in on a nice FJR so I have a real touring bike for those big multi week trips I do. Though this would be a bit ironic, since I sold a FJR for the R1100S back in 2006.

Anyway, the R1100S was due some much needed TLC as it was sitting in my garage with a dead Odyssee battery (as in unrecoverable dead, yes it has been sitting neglected that long) and half empty worn tires. Not the way to treat a pretty lady.

So I pushed it the half a mile to my dad's shop - payback for the negligence - and performed a full service, changed the tires, replaced the battery, performed a proper TB sync and all the little things that needed to be done to get it back in tip top shape.

So today I took it out for a spin. And God I love this bike. I immediately was reminded on why I don't want to sell this one. It is so light and nimble with how I set up the proper suspension.

Did notice a few things though. When I sit up straight with one hand on the bar, the seat is very much slanted making you want to slide forward, however when you sit properly on the bike in an active riding position (low bars), the seat angle is just right. BMW thought this over. So if you feel the seat makes you slide forward, and you have high bars or even risers, this bike was ergonomically designed for the low bars.

Another thing I noticed was the looooooong twist the throttle needs (and how light it turns compared to the K, it's like this is nothing connected to it). Very annoying. It is exaggerated because I have a quick action throttle on the K. I turn the throttle and nothing is happening, because my hand is programmed for a certain response on the K and I need to twist it ALOT more. That can be fixed though, and a quick order in Germany tonight will have me see the same quick action throttle on the way for the R as I have on the K. You should be able to go WOT in one twist of the wrist anyway.

Anyway, I just love riding this bike. It feels so much shorter, lighter and easier to turn than the K. And that's setup to handle much, much faster and lighter than it is stock. I just rekindled my appreciation of the R11S and I feel it will get a lot more love from now than it has been getting the last two years.

Then again, y'all know what a fine bike it is.